Automatic compact lighter



March 1, 1932. sTElNFlELD 1,847,791

AUTOMATIC COMPACT LIGHTER Filed Aug. 1', 1930 Q, mww

'A TTORNE Y.

atented Mar. 1, IQSZ HARRY STEINFIELD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF THREE-TENTHS T0 EDWARD ERVIN' AND ONE-FIFTH TO CLAIRE TAMAGNO, BOTH OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC COMPACT LIGHTER Application filed August 1, 1930. Serial No. 472,380.

My invention relates to improvements in compact automatic lighters for cigars, cigarettes or the like.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a compact lighter which is relatively short and slender, and may be conveniently carried by a lady in her purse or bag. The lighter has a fuel reservoir of relatively large capacity, thereby eliminating frequent refilling of the same. The device also embodies a burner element which may be removed for insertion of the wick, rendering it convenient to pass the wick through the burner element and also rendering it convenient to obtain a tight fit between the wick and burner element for properly closing the reservoir and thereby preventing unnecessary evaporation of the fuel. The burner is enclosed within a guard or windshield having an opening in one side of the same for the insertion of the end of the cigarette or the like, whereby the flame will not be readily blown out when the lighter is used in the open. The guard or windshield is adapted to be covered by a cap preferably having telescoping engagement therewith, and this cap is attached to the striking element to be moved thereby. The device further embodies a snuffer movable with the striking elements and when in the closed position has a close fit with the burner element, positively preventing the escape of fumes from the fuel which is drawn to the burning end of the wick by capillary attraction, thereby preventing these fumes coming in contact with the flint, whereby the flint is maintained dry and hard andwill at all times properly produce sparks. The construction is such that the fuel, either liquid or solid, may be fed into the reservoir, without liability of the same overflowing and coming in contact with the flint, which is completely sealed from the fuel during the refilling process.

Means are also provided so thatthe guard or windshield cap may be separated from the striking element .to afford ready access to the burner element. 7

The invention further contemplates a lighter which is fully automatic by simply pressing a releasing button to cause the striking elements to act against the flint for producing the necessary spark. The automatic action of the striking element moves the snuifer away from the burner to permit the sparks from the flint to engage the wick.

The invention further contemplates a lighter which is extremely simple in construction, small in size, cheap to manufacture, strong, durable, and highly eflicient in use.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a lighter constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the lighter taken at right angle to the position shown in Figure 1, with the lighter in the open or operatlve position,

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section -taken through the device,

Figure 4 is a transverse section taken on line 4=-il of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on 7 line 5-5 of Figure Figure 6 is a perspective view of the body portion of the lighting mechanism,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an operating rack embodied in the invention,and,

Figure 8 is a central longitudinal section through a modified form of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration, is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates the body portion or plug of the lighting mechanism, which is preferably formed of a metal casting. The body portion 10 is cylindrical in formation and carries a pair of upstanding spaced arms 11. The body portion 10 is further cut away to provide a fiat portion 12, having a screw-threaded opening formed therethrough, for receiving the screwthreaded end 13 of a burner element 14. The burner element 14 is provided with a longitudinal opening 15, receiving a wick 16, adapted to extend for a substantial distance below the body 10. The upper end of the burner element 14 is preferably tapered, for a purpose to be described. The body 10 is further provided with an opening 17, extendtween the arms. 11 for receiving a flint holder 18, of cylindrical formation and having a. drive fit into the body 10. The holder 18 extends a substantial distance above the flat surface 12 and carries a flint 19, adapted to be forced upwardly by a coil spring 20, within.

the tube 18. The tube 18 is internally screwthreaded at its lower end and carries an adjusting screw 21, for action against the spring 20. The arms 11 are provided with a pair of aligned openings 22, receiving a rotatable shaft 23 carrying a pair of gear wheels 24 and a striker wheel 25. The gears and striker wheel are rigidly mounted with respect to each other with the striker wheel positioned between the two gear wheels and immediately over the flint holder 18, whereby the flint forced upwardly by the spring 20 will engage the bottom of the wheel 25. The wheel 25, if desired, may be spirally grooved, providing a plurality of independent striking teeth, which will serve to give a multiplicity of 1ndependent sparks, which will insure a more readily igniting of the wick 16. 0

The body 10 is rigidly mounted w 1th1n the lower end of a tubular housing or windshield 26', the connection therewith preferably being of a drive fit. The housing 26 s formed open at its upper end. The housing 26 is further provided with an opening 27, whereby the flame will be exposed and access had thereto, by the user. The opemng 27 1s ust sufiiciently large to enable the user to insert the end of a cigar into the flame but is sufliciently small to guard the flame against wind. The housing 26 is rigidly mounted within the upper end of a tubular reservolr 28, the fittherebetween likewise being a driven one. The lower end of the reservoir 28 is formed open and normally closed by a screw-threaded cap 29. Cotton or other absorbent material may be placed within the reservoir 28 for absorbing the fuel.

The numeral 30 designates a cap or closure element of tubular formation and open at one end. The cap 30 is adapted to have a sliding fit over the upper end of the housing 26. The sliding of the cap upon the housing 26 is sufficiently close to assure of a perfect guiding action during its opening and closing movement. Mounted within the upper end of the cap 30 is a disc 31, having a central screw-threaded opening 32,

formed therethrough. The disc 31 is held within the cap 30 by a drive fit, and when the cap is in the closed position, the disc 31 lies against the upper edge of the housing 26. Mounted also within the cap 30 is a sec- 0nd disc 33 having a screw-threaded boss 34 engaging within the screw-threaded opening 32 of the cap 31. These two discs are held in rigid relation to each other. The disc 33 carries a pair of rack bars 35, rigidly held with respect to the-disc 33 by studs 36. The

mg entirely therethrough and positioned berack bars are preferably connected at their lower ends by a cross bar 37 extending beyond the sides of the rack and engaging within guide grooves 38 of the arms 11. It will, therefore, be obvious that movement of the cap 30 to the operating or open position will cause the racks to move upwardly, to thereby rotate the gears 24 and consequently the cross bar 42 resting upon the tops of the arms 11 and having pins 43, engaging within openings 44, formed in the upper ends of the arms 11, to thereby insure against displacement of'this bar. The means for retaining the cap in the closed or inoperative position comprises a flat spring 45, lying within a slot 46, formed within the rear side wall of the housing 26. The spring 45 carries, adjacent its upper end, a catch member 47, adapted to engage within an opening 48 of the cap 30. A push button 49 is likewise carried by the spring 45, and extends through an opening 50 formed through the side wall of the reservoir 28, adjacent to its upper end end and in alignment with the opening 48. The spring 45 has a portion thereof turned to a right angle and provided with a circular opening 51, adapted to engage over the flint holder 18 and having a snug fit therewith. The flint holder 18 is provided with a stop shoulder 52 to limit its downward movement through the body portion 10. It will, therefore, be obvious that a pressure upon the button 49 will cause the catch 47 to move out of the opening 48, at which time the spring 39 will force the cap 30 upwardly carrying with it the racks 35, and causing the gears 24 and striker wheel 25 to rotate against the flint 19.

l\f[eans are provided to close the upper end of the burner 14 to substantially seal it against evaporation and likewise to extinguish the flame after the de ice has been used, comprising a snuifer cap 53 of cylindrical formation the lower edge of which is tapered inwardly to correspond with the tapered upper part of the burner 14. The snuffer cap 53 has preferably formed integral therewith a shank 54 the upper end of which engages within an opening 55, formed in the disc 33 and the upper end of the shank 54 may be spread or otherwise enlarged to prevent displacement from the cap but permitting a restricted vertical movement of the shank 54 through the disc 33. The cap 53 and shank 54 are normally held downwardly by a coil spring 56, surrounding the shank 54. The

object of having a slight longitudinal movement of the snufi'er 53 is to insure of a constant pressure of the cap 53 against the tapered upper end of the burner 14.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figure 3, the operator presses upon the button 49 which, as clearly shown, extends a slight distance beyond the body of the reservoir 28, this action resulting in the forcing of the latch 47 from the opening 48. This releasing of the latch 47 will permit the spring 39 to exert a sharp upward movement of the cap carrying with it the snufi'er cap 53 and racks 35, resulting in a quick rotation of the gears 24 and the striker wheel 25, causing sparks to be struck from the flint 19 toward the wick 16. After the device has been used, the operator presses downwardly upon the cap 30 until the latch 47 again engages within the opening 48. The bar 37, Figure 3, prevents the separation of the racks and the gears 24, and thereby limits the outward movement of the cover, although any other suitable means may be employed for this purose.

p In Figure 8, the construction is almost identical to that shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention with the exception of the striking element. In this case, the striker wheel 25 is caused to rotate in a horizontal plane and rotation to the wheel 25 is imparted through the medium of a nonrotating rod 57 having a spiral groove 58 formed therein. The rod57 is rigidly carried by the disc 59 corresponding to the disc 31 in the preferred form, and the rod and cap are forced upwardly upon being released by a compressible coil spring 60 held within a tube 61. The rod 57 carries a stop nut 62 at its lower end adapted to be engaged by a spring 60 and a buffer spring 63 may be positioned within the tube 61 above the nut 62 to take up the shock of the upward movement of the cap and rod. The striker wheel 25, in this form of the invention, is provided with an opening through which the rod 57 passes, and the striker wheel 25 is provided with an inwardly extending pin 65 adapted to engage within the spiral groove 58. It is obvious, therefore, that upon a release action, a spring 60 will force the rod upwardly with the result that the wheel 25 will be caused to rotate in a horizontal plane, due to the engagement of the pin 65 within the slot 58. Other than this addition, the burner and body portion are substantially like that already shown and described.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shown and described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit slender casing,

of m invention, or the scope of the subjoine claims.

Having thus described my invention, I cla1m:- A

1. A compact lighter, comprising a long slender casing provided in its forward portion with an opening, a plug arranged within the casing and forming with the rear end of the same a fuel reservoir, said plug embodying a pair of spaced longitudinal arms having longitudinal slots, said arms also having transverse bearings, a transverse shaft having its ends held within the arms, a striker wheel mounted upon the shaft to turn therewith, a pair of pinions mounted upon the shaft to turn the same and disposed upon opposite sides of the striker wheel and arranged between the spaced arms, a pair of spaced racks arranged to engage the pinions, a transverse bar secured to the racks and projecting beyond the same to operate within the slots of the arms, flint holding means arranged in co-operative relation to the striker wheel, wick holding means arranged near the flint holding means, and a cap slidable upon the casing to cover and uncover the opening of the same and connected with the racks to move them.

2. A compact lighter comprising a long provided at its forward portion with an opening, a plug arranged within the casing and forming a fuel reservoir with the rear end of the same, said plug embodying spaced longitudinal arms having longitudinal slots, a longitudinally extending-flint holding device secured to the plug and arranged between the spaced arms, a longitudinally extending wick holding tube secured to the plug and arranged near the fiint holding tube, a rotatable transverse shaft carried by the spaced arms and arranged in advance of the flint holding .tube, a striker wheel arranged between the arms and mounted upon the transverse shaft to turn therewith, a pair of pinions arranged between the arms and mounted upon the transverse shaftand disposed upon opposite sides of the striker wheel, a pair of spaced longitudinally extending racks arranged between the arms to engage with the pinions and provided with lateral extensions operating within the longitudinal slots of the arms, a cap slidably mounted upon the forward end of the casing to cover and uncover the opening of the same and connected with the racks, a spring to move the cap forwardly, and means to hold the ea in the rear closed position.

3. E compact lighter, comprising a long slender casing having its rear end open, a removable cap for the rear end of the easing, a plug arranged within the casing and forming with the rear portion thereof a fuel reservoir, said plug embodyin a pair of Iongitudinally extending space arms having longitudinal slots, said plug having a longitudinal opening arranged between the arms and a second longitudinal opening arranged near the first-named longitudinal opening, a fiint holding tube held within the first named 5 longitudinal opening and arranged between the arms and extending rearwardly beyond the plug and terminating near said cap, a spring within the flint holding tube, a plug removably mounted within the rear end of the plug holding tube, a wick holding tube mounted within the second named longitudinal opening, a transverse shaft carried by the forward ends of the arms, a striker Wheel arranged between the arms and mounted upon the shaft to turn therewith, a pair of pinions arranged between the arms upon opposite sides of the striker wheel and mounted upon the shaft to turn the same, a pair of longitudinally extending racks arranged between the arms to engage the pinions and having extensions slidably mounted within the slots of the arms, a cap slidably mounted upon the forward end of the casing, means connecting the cap and the racks, a spring 2 connected with the arms and engaging the cap tomove it forwardly, and latch means to hold the cap in the rear closed position.

4. A compact lighter, comprising a long slender casing provided in its forward portion with an opening, a plug arranged within the casing and forming a fuel reservoir with the rear portion of the casing, a longitudinally extending arm carried by the plug and having a longitudinal slot, a flint holding tube arranged upon one side of the arm and secured to the plug,fa wick holding tube carried by the plug and arranged near theflint holding tube, a transverse shaft mounted upon the forward portion of the arm, a 40 striker wheel mounted upon the transverse shaft, a pinion mounted upon the transverse shaft, a longitudinally extending rack arranged within the casing upon the forward side of the plug and having an extension slidable within the longitudinal'slot, a cap slidably mounted upon the forward end of the casing and connected with the rack, a spring connected with the arm and with the cap to move the cap forwardly, and means to hold the cap in the rear closed position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HARRY STEINFIELD. 

